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DESPITE THE RAIN, hundreds of people turned out for the unveiling of a new statue in Cork City today.
A near life-size statue of Collins, standing with his bicycle, was revealed to a large crowd on the Grand Parade in the city this afternoon.
The statue, which was spearheaded by the Collins family and Michael Collins 100 committee, is a “nostalgic nod” to the iconic photograph – taken of him in Wexford in 1922.
The site was chosen as on 12 March 1922 Collins attended a rally on Grand Parade, where delivered a passionate speech to a reported crowd of 50,000 people.
Collins’ convoy would have also passed the area on the morning of 22 August 1922, on his journey from the Imperial Hotel, where he spent his last night, on route to Béal na Bláth where he was shot dead later that day.
The statue now sits at the exact spot where Collins gave his speech over a century ago.
Sculptor Kevin Holland was commissioned to create the new statue and the piece is being described as a “monument for the people, from the people” funded through a crowd-funding scheme spearheaded by the Michael Collins 100 committee.
The name of every person who made a contribution to the fundraising drive is in a “time capsule” which has been placed in the plinth of the statue.
Holland also created the landmark statue of Collins in Clonakilty.
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said he was delighted to see the statue.
McGrath said: “I think it is important and it is appropriate that his (Collins) role in a securing Irish independence and the formation of our State would be acknowledged and recognised.
“I am delighted to see such sporting stars being part of the unveiling of the tribute to Michael Collins today,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Michael Collins 100 Committee chairman Tim Crowley said: “This statue not only symbolises Collins but that whole generation of men and women who took on a military empire and trailblazed the way for us today.
“We were honoured to have three Cork sporting legends unveil the statue – all extraordinary people in their own right like Collins himself,” Crowley said.
An armoured car “Sliabh na mBan” from the convoy that made the historic journey on the day of Michael Collins’ death was also on show, and Cork singing legend John Spillane performed his new Michael Collins song for the very first time.
Fidelma Collins, grand-niece of Michael Collins and his closest living relative, said: “The Collins family are absolutely thrilled to be here with you all today.
“The Michael Collins 100 committee were superb and a driving force to work with. Thank you to everyone who made this happen. You are all acknowledged in a capsule that we have at the base of the statue.”
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy said: “This statue will add to the great sense of history and the great sense of place in Cork City.”
Additional reporting by Olivia Kelleher
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“The Big Fellah”. We could do with a man of his stature and conviction today.
@Mick: We could definitely do without another turncoat that willingly took guns from the British and fired them at those he once called his own….the quintessential quisling!
@: your living in a Republic because of that man and others like him. You should be ashamed of yourself. A turncoat? Its called compromise! More than most could have dreamt of at the time. I don’t see anyone thats made any more progress on the issue in the century or so since.
Probably best not to listen to too much barstool BS
@Mick:
No real leader would return for London, hoodwinked and whoored up to do the brutal occupier’s bidding by willing accepting their already Irish blood-soaked arms and firing them upon those who were once his own!
It’s hard to countenance, stomach or reconcille but that’s the harsh truth of a yet another short tragic political career… whether by the design of an insecure certain former comrade, naivety, gullibity or otherwise!
@Mary Toilet:
Or jax seat jingoists for that matter! ;~}
About time, Ireland’s greatest.
@Paddy Ryan:
…..turncoat, Churchill and co didn’t have to try too hard either, merely had him well wined, dined and hoored up to the nines….then re-deployed to continue their crimes….an out and outed quisling turncoat!
Nameless gobmanure.
@Paddy Ryan: Exactly!
The founding Irish President we never had.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam Micheál Collins!
A real man of courage, unlike the woke clowns we have now
Considering woke refers to the awareness of social justice and inequality, Michael Collins would have been quite Woke in his commitment to social change and equality.
I also hear that FG are trying to claim Collins as their founder — Collins who was one of the leaders of the IRA and SF and setup the provisional govt, and who wasn’t even alive before FG existed.
“The earth must become as it appears: blue and white, not capitalist or communist; blue and white, not rich or poor; blue and white, not envious or envied”.
@9QRixo8H: why did you even go to the bother of typing out that load of rubbish?
Just to troll you
@9QRixo8H: fair enough
@Mary Toilet: why don’t you want people to be aware of social injustices?
@donal O’brien: what are you on about? I never said that, stop trolling
Should be statues of Sean O’Hegarty and Tom Barry in Cork too
Prob be damaged by some sc%mbag soon enough who will get free legal aid.
Hon the Mick true cork man
@mark duggan: The only decent Corkman and ye shot him !!
Would have liked him standing high on a plinth rather than it’s present size .
@Mike Howard:
Should have depicted him firing British 18 pounder guns at his former comrades in the Four Courts!
Statue looks lovely, a nice piece of work.
This country and its love affair with the Civil war and its leaders.
100 years on and the West Brits still rule
So fitting this Statue, he used to evade capture by the BA using his trusty high-nelly.
Thought I’d be the first to mention Gazza in the comments! I hope he’s managed to sort his life out and deal successfully with his addiction problems…
@William Tallon:
Hopefully he’s stopped abusing his missus and being a flute-head fisherman come hostage negotiator of little known success!
@William Tallon: fog on the Tyne is all mine, all mine..
I wonder will be be touched for luck like other staues?
Good man Mick
Hope they’ve given him a pair of waders.
Hope he had the speedos on
Betcha there’ll never be a wheelie bin over him since that time was a difficult feat. I would of shown up blasting out johnny donegan’s ”Michael”
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